Core Ergonomic Control Methods Examples
Core Ergonomic Control Methods Examples
Hazard
AWKWARD POSTURES
Working with hand(s) above the head
or the elbow(s) above the shoulder(s),
more than 4 hours total per day
Repetitively raising the hand(s) above
the head or the elbow(s) above the
shoulder(s) more than once per
minute, more than 4 hours total per
day
Working with the neck bent more
than 45(without support or the
ability to vary posture), more than 4
hours total per day
Environmental Health and Safety 12/02
From the Department of Labor & Industries
Ergonomic Control Methods
Raise the worker up with elevated work platforms or ladders
Make tools longer with articulating arms or extension handles
Bring the work down and tilt it on its side for better access
Provide adjustability where possible for multiple users
Design reach distance for the shortest worker
Provide arm supports
Use sloping platforms with overhead conveyers to adjust for variable worker heights
Limit overhead storage to infrequently used items
Raise the worker up with elevated work platforms or ladders
Make tools longer with articulating arms or extension handles
Bring the work down and tilt it on its side for better access
Provide adjustability where possible for multiple users
Design reach distance for the shortest worker
Raise and tilt objects being viewed to keep neck more upright
Use magnifiers when working on objects with the hands in order to keep the arms and
shoulders down
Support the head with a chin/forehead cradle.
Use monitor arms or stackers to raise up monitors
Use video or mirror systems to view objects or locations that are difficult to see
(dental/medical/surgical tasks, fork trucks)
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Core Ergonomic Control Methods Examples
Hazard
Working with the back bent forward
(without support or the ability to vary
posture) more than 30 degrees for
more than 4 hours per day, or more
than 45 for more than 2 hours per
day
Squatting more than 4 hours
total per day
Kneeling more than 4 hours
total per day
HIGH HAND FORCE
Pinching an unsupported object(s)
weighing 2 or more lbs. per hand or
pinching with a force of 4 or more
pounds per hand, combined with
highly repetitive motions for more
than 3 hours total per day
Environmental Health and Safety 12/02
Ergonomic Control Methods
Raise and tilt the work to provide better access
Use a sit/stand stool to lower the worker
Make tools longer with articulating arms or extension handles
Alternate between bending, sitting, kneeling and squatting
Use a chest pad to support the weight of the upper body
Locate objects well within arms reach
Use body carts for ground level work
Raise the work to provide better access
Make tools longer with articulating arms or extension handles
Alternate between bending, sitting, kneeling and squatting
Use body carts for ground level work
Use short portable stools for ground level work
Wear knee pads
Raise the work to provide better access
Make tools longer with articulating arms or extension handles
Alternate between bending, sitting, kneeling and squatting
Redesign hand-tool interface for use of a power grip
Reduce weight of tool or object
Use clamps or vices to eliminate forceful pressing or pinches
Use fasteners requiring minimal pinch force (e.g. plastic rather than metal)
Use fasteners that can be inserted by tool
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Hazard Ergonomic Control Methods

Pinching an unsupported object(s)
weighing 2 or more lbs. per hand or
Redesign hand-tool interface for use of a power grip
pinching with a force of 4 or more
Reduce hand-object interface to reduce slipperiness
pounds per hand, combined with
wrists bent in flexion 30o or more or Reduce weight of tool or object
in extension 45 o or more for more Change tool, work surface orientation, or worker location to reduce bent wrist postures
than 3 hours total per day
Redesign hand-tool interface for use of a power grip
Pinching an unsupported object(s)
Reduce weight of tool or object
weighing 2 or more lbs. per hand or
Rotate jobs between workers
pinching with a force of 4 or more
Use clamps or vices to eliminate forceful pressing or pinches
pounds per hand for more than 4
hours total per day Use fasteners requiring minimal pinch force (e.g. plastic rather than metal)
Use fasteners that can be inserted by tool
Reduce weight of tool or object.
Gripping an unsupported object(s)
Use balancers, adjustable fixtures, articulating arms to hold handled items or minimize
weighing 10 or more lbs. per hand or
weight held in the hand
gripping with a force of 10 or more
Use two hands rather than one
pounds per hand, combined with
Alternate between hands
highly repetitive motions for more
than 3 hours total per day Sharpen cutting tools to reduce force requirements during use
Rotate between tasks

Gripping an unsupported object(s) Reduce weight of tool or object.

weighing 10 or more lbs. per hand or
gripping with a force of 10 or more
pounds per hand, combined with
wrists bent in flexion 30o or more or
in extension 45 o or more or in ulnar
deviation 30 o or more for more than
3 hours total per day
Change tool, work surface orientation, or worker location to reduce bent wrist postures
Use balancers, adjustable fixtures, articulating arms to hold handled items or minimize
weight held in the hand
Use two hands rather than one
Alternate between hands
Sharpen cutting tools to reduce force requirements during use

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Core Ergonomic Control Methods Examples
Hazard
Gripping an unsupported object(s)
weighing 10 or more lbs. per hand or
gripping with a force of 10 or more
pounds per hand, more than 4 hours
total per day
HIGHLY REPETITIVE MOTIONS
Using the same motion with little or
no variation every few seconds
(excluding keying activities) more
than 6 hours total per day
Using the same motion with little or
no variation every few seconds
(excluding keying activities)
combined with wrists bent in flexion
30o or more or in extension 45 o or
more or in ulnar deviation 30 o or
more, and high, forceful exertions
with the hand(s), more than 2 hours
total per day
Environmental Health and Safety 12/02
Ergonomic Control Methods
Reduce weight of tool or object
Rotate jobs between workers
Use balancers, adjustable fixtures, articulating arms to hold handled items or minimize
weight held in the hand
Use two hands rather than one
Alternate between hands
Sharpen cutting tools to reduce force requirements during use
Preventive maintenance of tools to reduce high hand forces
Use bench mounted adapters to provide more leverage
Rotate jobs with other workers, varying the types of motion
Use job enlargement, increase the number of tasks performed by the worker, varying the
types of movement
Reduced the speed of the motions if possible
Use mechanical assists
Use multifunction tools
Re-orient or move objects into positions where bent wrists are eliminated
Rotate jobs with other workers, varying the types of motion
Use tools (with power grip) if exertions are required
Provide jig/vice to hold parts reducing forceful grasping and allowing the use of two
hands
Use mechanical assists
Use multifunction tools
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Core Ergonomic Control Methods Examples
Hazard
Intensive keying for more than 7
hours total per day, or combined with
awkward postures for more than 4
hours total per day
REPEATED IMPACT
Using the hand (heel/base of palm) as
a hammer more than once per minute
more than 2 hours total per day
Using the knee as a hammer more
than once per minute more than 2
hours total per day
Environmental Health and Safety 12/02
Ergonomic Control Methods
Enlarge the job to include tasks other than keying
Provide equipment to reduce awkward postures such as wrist rests, arm rests, adjustable
keyboard shelves
Rearrange workstation to eliminate awkward postures e.g. raise monitor, lower keyboard,
bring mouse closer to keyboard
Utilize voice-recognition software
Utilize software macros that automate repetitive keystrokes
Schedule breaks
Use rubber mallets, bean bags, or other padded tools to strike with instead of the palm
Press objects into place using levers, or hydraulic or pneumatic tools
Redesign assembly processes to avoid the need to pound parts in by hand
Use viscoeleastic padded palm pads to reduce impact
Cover sharp or hard objects with pads
Use different types of palm button guards such as light sensors for manual activation of
equipment
Use tools that don't require knee kicks, such as power stretchers for carpet laying, or long
handled mallets.
Press objects into place using levers, or hydraulic or pneumatic tools.
Relocate knee switches so that the thigh or the foot presses them.
Redesign processes to avoid the need to pound parts in by knee
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Hazard Ergonomic Control Methods

HEAVY, FREQUENT or AWKWARD LIFTING
Reduce weight of load
Increase weight of load so that it requires mechanical assist
Reduce the capacity of the container
Use slides, gravity chutes to eliminate lifting
Use mechanical assist such as overhead hoist, manipulator, vacuum lift, pneumatic
balancer, forklift
Use telescoping extendible conveyors with powered belts that reach deep into trailers
Heavy lifting
Reduce the horizontal distance of the load away from the body by reducing the size of the
packaging
Reduce the horizontal distance of the load away from the body by removing barriers,
obstacles that make access to the object difficult
Team lift the object with two or more workers
Improve layout of work process so the need to move materials is minimized
Provide handholds which increase lifting capability up to 15%
Use mechanical assist such as overhead hoist, manipulator, vacuum lift, pneumatic
balancer, forklift
Frequent lifting
Reorganize work method to eliminate repeated handling of the same object
Rotate workers to jobs with light or no manual handling
Use slides, gravity chutes to eliminate lifting
Use mobile storage racks to avoid unnecessary loading and unloading

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Core Ergonomic Control Methods Examples

Hazard Ergonomic Control Methods

Redesign workstation layout to eliminate trunk twisting by locating objects within arms
reach
Design workstation with adjustable heights to eliminate bent forward posture when lifting
Awkward lifting Eliminate the use of deep shelves that require a worker to bend and reach for objects.
Store objects at 30 off the floor
Provide sturdy walk-up ladder with handrails to access stored parts on high shelves/racks.
Provide rigid containers to better control the load

HAND-ARM VIBRATION
Select power tools with lower vibration emission levels
Provide regular maintenance to eliminate vibrations caused by imbalanced mechanical
parts e.g. grinding wheels
Increased tool weight could reduce vibration transmitted to the hands, though cautions
should be taken not to introduce other risk factors
Using balancers, isolators, damping materials, articulating arms, vertical suspension, and
counter weighting to reduce grip requirements and provide an alternative transmission
Segmental vibration route for vibrational energy
Use battery operated rather than air powered tools where possible
Isolate vibration between source and hand by providing handles with a well designed
mass-spring system or anti-vibration gloves
Tools should have a high power to weight ratio, have low torque with a cutoff rather than
a slip-clutch mechanism and have handles with a non-slip surface to reduce the need to
grip tightly.
Reduce vibration exposure duration
Note: This table provides examples of how the core ergonomics principles can be used to reduce exposure to musculoskeletal hazards. These examples
are a selection from the rulemaking file.

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